Prince Harry’s UK court battle may overshadow royal family’s Christmas

Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles, has re-engaged in a legal dispute, contesting the UK government’s decision to remove his official security detail. The Duke of Sussex is challenging the Home Office at the High Court, seeking to reverse the decision that reduced his security level following his step back from being an active member of the royal family.

At the beginning of a three-day hearing in London, Prince Harry’s legal team argued that the decision-making process was unjust. Although Harry was not present in court, his lawyer Shaheed Fatima described the decision as “unlawful and unfair,” stating that his security would be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Home Office, reported Washington Times.

This legal move has fueled speculation about Prince Harry’s future intentions, with some suggesting he may be planning a return to the UK. Others see this action as potentially heightening tensions within the royal family, especially considering Prince Harry’s previous criticisms of the family during a court appearance in London. There is also concern that this legal battle could overshadow the royal family’s Christmas celebrations.

The royal family traditionally spends Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House, the Queen’s country estate in Norfolk. Although they celebrated many Christmases at Windsor Castle during the 1960s, they have been spending Christmas at Sandringham since 1988.

Amidst these developments, there have been indications of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, seeking to mend relations with King Charles. This was hinted at following a reportedly “warm” phone call between the father and son for the King’s 75th birthday in November, which included a cordial exchange between the King and Meghan Markle.

Despite these overtures, the ongoing legal issue has cast doubt on the likelihood of a reunion between Prince Harry and the royal family, particularly during the upcoming festive season.